The group of 17 top female artists, who include Horse and Amy Sutton from Neon Choir, was formed by Georgey Payne, singer-songwriter for folk band Greymatter, after being moved by the experiences of a young gay friend.

'I noticed one night he was worried about going home after working an evening,' she said.

'When I asked him what was wrong he told me he was being bullied at school.

'I then listened while he explained everything that had been happening, and I just remember feeling so sad at what he was having to go through.

'Being a songwriter, the best way I could think of to help raise money and awareness to prevent this kind of thing happening to others was to write a song.'

The song's lyrics talk about the challenges of growing up gay, but the central message is one of hope, echoing the It Gets Better video series in the US and Stonewall's It Gets Better Today campaign in the UK.

Payne says she hopes the single will also reach listeners worldwide.

She added: 'Our aim is to reach as many people as possible with the release of this single - young, old, friends and family of those affected, it doesn't matter who you are, we all have a chance to help make difference.'